Liverpool defender makes transfer decision amid Stoke City and Blackburn links

Ben Davies is expected to sign for Rangers as a £4m transfer fee is reportedly agreed with Liverpool.

The 26-year-old centre-half, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, had been linked strongly with Stoke City and Blackburn after being left out of Jurgen Klopp's travelling squad for pre-season.

He had moved to Anfield from Preston for £500,000 during an injury crisis in early 2021 and has not played a first team game. Preston are believed to have held a 20 per cent sell-on clause.

A £4m asking price - with £3m up front and £1m in future clauses - was always likely to put Davies out of reach for most clubs in the Championship, where the transfer market has all-but collapsed since the pandemic.

But Rangers, who are preparing to play in the Champions League this season, have been keen to bolster their defensive numbers as Calvin Bassey gets set to join Ajax. Out-of-contract Leon Balogun has left the club and Filip Helander is injured. They have already brought in John Souttar, brother of Stoke star Harry.

Stoke have brought in Aden Flint this summer, Phil Jagielka has signed a new half-season contract and Connor Taylor has returned from a loan spell at Bristol Rovers. Harry Souttar is likely to be unavailable until at least September as he recovers from a knee injury.

Ben Wilmot has filled the spot on the left of a back three so far in friendlies.